Future Proposal

While the plaque is significant in marking the old rancherías, the etching outlining the shape of the old structure is quite faded and in a location that’s hard to find. Additionally, there is no apology given for paving over the artifacts and ruins that are now inaccessible to the families of the people who lived there. The plaque only briefly mentions the diseases and forced labor that led to the loss of thousands of lives due to the terrible conditions forced onto them. It also never mentions the artifacts that would have given us at least a small window into the Native American culture. These artifacts provide an important background to the persistence of Native American culture at the ranchería, and without mention, it does not do its job of displaying the history found during excavation. In order to better commemorate the history of the Native Americans and this location, Santa Clara should take a more apologetic stance and do a better job acknowledging the specific people who lived and died at the mission. However, because the excavation has already been paved over and a new building has been constructed over it, there are only a few things the university can do to help take back the damage that has already been done. A way to simply make the location more noticeable would be to darken the faded cement and make a larger plaque. The placement of this larger plaque should also contain more detail regarding what was found during the excavation, such as the artifacts, and discuss the negative effects the missions had on the Native Americans. In order to better acknowledge the area, the parking garage could be named after something relating to the Native Americans who lived and suffered at Mission Santa Clara, or in relation to the adobe dormitory found there. There could also be a sign placed on the outside of the garage to capture near-by walkers’ attention and lead them inside to see and learn about this historic location. Although Santa Clara University has attempted to commemorate this location and the history behind it, the location, as well as the plaque, could use massive improvements, such as the ones mentioned above, to provide a clearer and better-informed message to its audience.